What is the salary and career path for a gis analyst?
GIS analysts are reported under Cartographers and Photogrammetrists (SOC 17-1021), a broad BLS match for mapping and spatial-data professionals. The OEWS May 2025 median is $81,390 a year ($39.13 an hour), from $53,740 at the 10th percentile to $126,950 at the 90th, with programming and analysis depth driving the spread. BLS projects 6.4% growth over 2024–2034, faster than average, though the occupation is small at roughly 1,000 openings a year. No license is required; the role rewards Esri ArcGIS skill, spatial-analysis ability and, at senior levels, the GISP certification.
- GIS Analysts earn a national median $81,390/yr ($39.13/hr) (BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 17-1021); the top 10% clear $126,950.
- No license is required; the role rewards Esri ArcGIS skill, spatial-analysis ability and, at senior levels, the GISP certification.
- BLS projects 6.4% growth for 2024–34 across the code, faster than average, though the occupation is small at about 1,000 openings a year.
- The ladder runs from GIS technician through analyst and developer to GIS manager, topping out near $126,950.
Career Path
How do you become a gis analyst?
GIS Technician
Digitizes and maintains map data under supervision; pay near the BLS 10th percentile.
GIS Analyst
GIS Analyst building maps and spatial analysis — around the national median tier.
Senior GIS Analyst / Developer
Automates workflows and builds spatial applications; earnings around the 75th percentile.
GIS Manager / Geospatial Lead
Leads the GIS team and data strategy; top-decile pay near the 90th percentile.
BLS Salary Data
Which state pays gis analysts the most in 2026?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 17-1021. National median: $81,390. Full salary guide →
Pay Comparison
How does gis analyst pay compare to related roles?
Head-to-head against the roles gis analysts most often weigh against. BLS OEWS May 2025 medians.
Takeaway: gis analysts rank 1 of 4 on median pay among the comparable roles above, with a projected +6.4% employment change 2024–34 (BLS Employment Projections). Pay position and projected demand together are what determine how quickly gis analysts clear offers across the GlobalCybers placement network.
Methodology & Sources
How this guide is sourced and reviewed
Wages (BLS): All median and percentile figures are BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 17-1021 (gis analysts) and the matching SOC codes for each comparison role. OEWS is sampled on a rolling 3-year basis and published ~10 months after collection, so treat it as a firm anchor rather than a spot rate.
Job growth: Projected 2024–34 employment change, and the average annual openings figure, are from the BLS Employment Projections program, by occupation. Openings are a per-year average over the projection decade, not a decade total.
Licensing & credentials:Requirements are drawn from the issuing state licensing boards and the certifying body behind each credential — not from third-party aggregators.
Demand signal:Any statement about how quickly this role clears offers reflects GlobalCybers placement request volume across the trailing 12 months — our own network data, offered as a directional real-world indicator alongside BLS, not a market-wide survey.
Credentials
What licences and certifications do gis analysts need?
GISCI certification recognized for senior GIS roles and portable competence. See all state licences →
Hands-on skill in ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online — the standard toolset.
Analytical and automation skills that separate analysts from technicians.
Tools & Software
What tools and software do gis analysts use on the job?
⚙️ Core Tools & Equipment
📊 BLS Employment Data, SOC 17-1021
Salary Levers
How do gis analysts earn above the $81,390 BLS median?
Scripting and analysis depth
Python automation and advanced spatial analysis move pay from the $81,390 median toward the $126,950 top decile.
Industry and data complexity
Telecom, utility and defense mapping pays above basic digitizing near the p10 $53,740.
Advancement to developer and manager
GIS-developer and manager roles earn above the individual-analyst median.
This Route vs. College
Is becoming a gis analyst worth it vs. a 4-year degree?
The entry route into this role, set against a four-year degree. Same starting line, side by side.
Entry-level (10th percentile) and all-level median wages: BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 17-1021. Student-debt figure: median federal borrower balance for bachelor's-degree completers. Starting-salary comparison is illustrative and varies by field and region.
FAQ
GIS Analyst Career, Frequently Asked Questions
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